Sunday, September 25, 2016

We say Alhamdulillah and we pray for our friends who have always been generous towards us, offering kind words and gentle gestures.

And how can we not be delighted about warm greetings coming from the Haramain?

So here I am extending the good vibes I received from two buddies who are still in Makkah al-Mukaramah. They sent me some lovely photos and thoughtful prayers early Sunday morning, today the 25th of sweet September, a great start to another wonderful day.

We call upon the Owner of the Kaabah
the Most Compassionate Host of the Holy Land
towards Whom all pilgrims direct their aim
to that one centre which all faces and hearts align
near and far
We call upon the Lord who forgives all pilgrims
to also forgive those for whom they seek forgiveness

Count us all in
Befriend us
let us know You rightfully
enable us to love You truthfully
bless and protect us with Your mercy
so we may bow to You and serve You sincerely

Ameen.

p/s

And guess who's the other person who sent me good wishes early this morning? Hah hah...

Someone thought I looked like 35.
Nah...make it 30. Sixteen years younger. LOL
And I shall drink 2 liters of water a day, to validate that : DAlhamdulillahi hamdan yuwafi ni'amahu wa yukafi u mazidah

Thursday, September 22, 2016

"And it seems to me,
you lived your life
like a candle in the wind
never fading with the sunset
when the rain set in...."

Which path did you take today?

As I was buying breakfast for me and mom, I heard someone sang this song, and that moment charted a series of unexpected wonderful moments for the rest of the day.

It's common to have buskers at my regular breakfast joint on weekends. Thus I was a little surprised when I heard a beautiful male voice singing "Candle in the Wind" this morning. My eyes hurriedly search for the singer who appeared to be almost hiding behind a pillar. He was alone. The buskers I had seen performing there was a group of veterans. I'd never seen this gentleman before.

I was moved and a little puzzled, why today? It's Thursday. I thought this person might have a special need today, so he decided to turn up and do his thing. One craft he is good at is singing, obviously. So, there he was.

It suddenly dawned on me that Allah has given him a craft so different from mine. I have got a permanent job - the only job I know how to do. But I was late for work. This guy was early, already out there sharing his craft. He beat me!

There for a short while, our paths crossed. I was mesmerized by the lovely song he sang, Sir Elton John's song which many of us are so familiar with - "And it seems to me, you lived your life like a candle in the wind..."

I handed him a small token in exchange for the beautiful moments of awakening and gratitude. I was sincerely moved and joyfully entertained by his honest performance and the rawness of his craft.

Frankly speaking, I usually give $X to buskers. But I was so touched by his presence so I gave him $YY.

The feel-good vibes I bagged in the morning stayed with me throughout my busy day at the office. Guess what? Just before I called it a day, I got an unexpected gift, worth five times more than what I gave away to that busker! Subhanallah. Allah Al Latif. Allah Kareem!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

This glorious sunrise photo ought to be here. It's beautiful, Subhanallah! How fortunate some people are, they get to enjoy a great view of the sunrise AND sunset right in front of their house. It deserves a celebration!

This saying by Oprah is apt:
"The more you praise and celebrate your life,
the more there is in life to celebrate."

But of course, as stated in the Quran, Allah says:
"If you are grateful,
I will certainly give you more."

Sunrise up north Peninsular Malaysia

You may recall from yesterday's posting the brilliant sunset hues taken from the same location as the above sunrise photo. It's kinda hard to tell the difference between sunrise and sunset from both photos.

I think life is sometimes like that. One look at a particular situation, it might appear the same. But it could be totally 180 degrees opposite, like night and day. We would only be able to tell the difference if we wait a little longer. We will then see if darkness takes over or if it would shine. Either way, we'll have to wait and see what the Creator is unfolding in a given situation. Either way, we'll know and we'll have to accept when the night enters the day because [God willing] the time will come for the day to enter the night. And through the passage of time, we will get a better picture of what He intends to reveal. In hindsight, we always understand things better.

"He merges night into day and He merges day into night and He has full knowledge of the secrets of all hearts." - Q57:6

Sunset up north Peninsular Malaysia(Taken from the same location as above pic.Photo credit: Brother Y)

Indeed He knows the secrets of all hearts.

You and I read what is written, but each with a different intention and therefore each takes away a different meaning. And we read between the lines. But none of us could tell for sure the secret that lies between the lines, what more secrets that are hidden in the heart. To each, his own and only the Lord knows all about His own creations.

Good night from KL.

KL Tower is blue tonight.
She is probably singing
"When I am feeling blue
all I have to do is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue.
When you're close to me, I can feel your heart beat, I can hear you breathing near my ear.
Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me
gotta groovy kind of love "
; )

A good friend, a reader of this blog whom I deeply respect, sent me the above photo captured by her son. It's breathtaking, it inspired me to write a Malay poem. I apologize to our foreign-readers. I might on another occasion have it translated for you in sha Allah.

I am just happy to be writing from my heart. It's a private space shared with those who share the same vibe. I am not bothered by those who are outside.

It's a joy and such a blessing that despite being apart, our hearts and minds connect.

Thank you. I appreciate you and you know who you are.

Below picture was taken at one favorite spot at my Penang home during my recent trip back home. I feel the same way about you as I was feeling in the pic - I feel happy, relaxed and so "at home" when I think of you. Our souls must have been on the same rank then, as it is so in-sync now.

Monday, September 19, 2016

They say: "Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters."

Of course! Because, as what the Prophet said: Let not anyone of you say "Woe to time" for Allah is time.

Therefore, surely Allah has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters! Just that sometimes He has to put us in a certain circumstances for a long while for us to see, feel, listen and learn. And grow! The Master knows better how to manage His servants/creations.

Just a short reminder to myself as in all other postings. Short but lengthy in reflection ; )

Sunday, September 18, 2016

He was a household name really. He was well known among the Muslim communities in Malaysia for his prowess as a spiritual healer.

On occasions, spiritual healing is synonymous with physical healing, as far as his knowledge and skills was concerned. Yes, I think that's what all the popular religious Muslim/Malaysian personalities should aspire to be. They should move beyond preaching theories. They should get actively involved in caring for the Muslims, in sickness and in health. Most of them probably are, but Dr Haron Din shall remain a benchmark for a long time.

Dr Haron Din or Dato Dr Haron Din (1940 - 16 September 2016) passed away on a historical date for Malaysia - it was Malaysia Day. He was 76 when he died on a foreign land 8,000 miles away. He was in California seeking healing. Dr Haron Din passed away at Stanford University Hospital on the best of days - Friday.

Dr Haron Din had not been in the best of health, yet he kept active doing charity work. The last stint was about two weeks prior to his demise. Masha Allah. Surely his legacy, especially in healing through Islamic methods, will stay alive through Darussyifa' Treatment Centers which he founded in 1988. After 28 years, Darussyifa' has trained some 6,000 healers and as if to "seal" his decades of hardwork and dedication, Dr Haron Din had just recently set up the Darussyifa' Foundation, channeling humanitarian aids to worthy recipients.

***

Like most Malaysians, I was surprised to learn about his passing in California. As I read the news report of his death, hearing about his final passage in San Francisco, Stanford, Santa Clara, Livermore, the whole Bay Area - brought shivers down my spine. I lived in Calif for two years of my life. It's unimaginable to have one prominent Malaysian muáleem choosing to be buried at such a faraway place. But of course, "No one knows in what land he shall die, surely Allah is Knowing, Aware." And we know not which part of the Earth shall envelope our lifeless body. And we know not who will be our final neighbor.

But then again, for a learned, areef and abid like Dr Haron Din, he shall "live" forever more in Livermore and it does not matter where he gets buried in the end, for he is seeing his Rabb no matter where!

Innalillah wa inna ilai hirajiun.

Photo credit:https://www.facebook.com/harondinofficial/

Dr Haron Din breathed his last breath at Stanford
(a little to the left of Palo Alto seen on the map/left of the Bay);
then taken for prayers at the Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara
(southeast of Stanford)
and then to the final resting place at Livermore
(northeast from Santa Clara)

Al Fatihah to Dr Haron Din,
his new neighbor Nelson Yero Lecky and all others
at Five Pillars Farm Cemetery
in Livermore, California.
Dr Haron Din - a caliph buried in Calif.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Ahh....gotta document this - the fruit of my labor yesterday and today. Alhamdulillah for good health so we are able to work that body. Alhamdulillah that He keeps manifesting all kinds of gifts - big or small - at His appointed time.

I have been busy re-arranging the furniture at my crib in KL, dust off each book and tidy up those shelves. So...it's now time to chill. Ya Huu!

Here's one quote from one of the books on that shelf. It's an advice from Shaykh Ibn Athaillah as-Sakandari on how to deal with time. How we should accept each and everything that He chooses to manifest at His perfect timing and not ask for a better or any other situation.

Aphorism:

"It's sheer stupidity to seek to introduce in a given time what Allah has not manifested in it."

Meaning:

"Only Allah does know what is better for the servant. Since a servant cannot predict what is good and what is bad for him, it is not fair for him to seek for a better situation. He is requested to make better use of whatever situation given to him rather than asking for a better situation. The servant becomes more sincere and honest if he works for the master in whatever situation he was asked to work without asking for a change in the situation of the work. If he believes that he can become more productive and efficient in a different situation, it is tantamount to believing that he knows better than Allah what situation is better for him."

Wish y'all a pleasant and productive weekend. May we remain content for whatever situation He chooses to manifest for us, each day, each time.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Praise be to Allah for the peace and prosperity which He has been channeling our way each day.

It's a public holiday in Malaysia today, as we celebrate Malaysia Day. Ya Huuu!

Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
Captured by yours truly on the eve of Malaysia Day 2016

It's common to miss and appreciate one's own country when one is abroad.

Before I left for Scotland to pursue a Master's degree, N's mother (a dear family friend) supplied me with Lempuk Durian (Durian concentrated preserves) that lasted for a year! My mom who accompanied me in Stirling, used it to add Durian flavor to Bubur Kacang (sweet green beans porridge). We had this Malaysian dessert once a week, or twice during winter. I guess even more frequent than Malaysians at home. Having anything related to Durian when living abroad is one of the cures for homesickness. LOL.

I am reminded of this wonderful memory when N told me her mom Mak Aji made Durian jams this time. Yaay! It's always special because the Durians are from her own orchard in Batu Pahat, Johor.

Life is good!

Alhamdulillahi hamdan yuwafi ni'amahu wayukafi u mazidah.

May Allah grant us Malaysians more wonderful bounties in the coming days and years. Ameen.

Mak Aji's Durian jams
simply fabu-licious!

One Malaysian girl who loves everything Malaysian
- wearing a top by a talented Malaysian designer
Amin Jauhary

Monday, September 12, 2016

Writing this on 11 Zulhijjah. Guess it's not too late to wish you all Eid Mubarak. Meant to post this yesterday on the 10th of Zulhijjah but was too occupied.

Eidul Adha celebration in Penang is usually not as festive as Eid al-Fitr. The latter is merrier, at least to me because my qurratu ain - children from my village - would pop up as soon as the Eid prayer is over. Wonder what they do on Eid al-Adha, apart from observing the qurban ritual.

Only two little boys visited my house on Eidul Adha yesterday, and that's upon invitation because they happened to swing by my place the day before. They came by for a unique unexpected reason. They pressed the doorbell and shouted at me when they saw me appearing on the balcony [like the Queen lol] asking if I had any young daughters! I quickly replied no, of course. And they walked away upon hearing my reply.

I paused momentarily to think, why did they ask such a specific question? So I ran after them.

One of them explained as a matter of fact: "My mother asked me to find a buyer for these Barbie sandals because it's not the right size for my sister."

The boys were obedient indeed, they did not mind going around the neighborhood knocking on doors looking for potential buyers. Some kids at their age would be hesitant to undertake such a task. They sure are enterprising!

I took the opportunity to invite them for Eid the following day, they said yes and they turned up at the appointed time! Masha Allah! May Allah bless them abundantly and may they grow up to be well mannered, successful and pious sons. They are cousins apparently and are of the same age. They are 8 years old.

This story may sound petty to some of you but not to me. I appreciate knowing about impressive young children like them. I cherish life and the kinds of life people lead. It's very interesting. It's an eye opener for me to see how colorful this life is to all of us.

My precious Eidul Adha guests

The day before, they were out and about doing sales

For a change, my family and I decided to go to a smaller mosque for Eid prayers instead of the usual Penang State Mosque. It's kinda sad to see how small the congregation was at this particular mosque. It used to be the most happening place for Muslims in Penang in the 1800s until late 20th century as it was the center for Islamic studies and hajj logistic activities, not just for Penang but also the South East Asia region.

It makes one reflects how people and circumstances change over time.

Although the congregation was small, the Eid celebratory mood felt real and jovial. Everyone was treated to home cooked Eid meals, yes all the dishes were cooked by the mosque's committee MashaAllah tabarakallah!

Male jemaah for Eidul Adha prayers
at Masjid Lebuh Acheh, Penang.
The duá recited by the khatib didn't sound impersonal at all,
he made me feel like we belong to one close knit family

Friday, September 9, 2016

Subhan is Allah who is Most Merciful, Al Wali, He is the Protecting Friend and non-discriminating at that.

Delighted to have received greetings from a colleague who is presently at Makkah. Kinda honored that of all people (office-mates) he sent a message to yours truly. Kind thoughts from a hujjaj is ever so precious. Every year there is at least one friend of mine who goes for hajj and that means my duá "reach" the Haramain and my name gets mentioned in a petition. Alhamdulillah for this special blessing. And this year I have got three reps. Ya Hu!

I was moved not just because this person remembered me. It's touching because he is who he is and he gets to perform hajj even though he's known to be relatively "less religious" than most people at the office. People weren't expecting him to undertake the pilgrimage. But of course Allah is Ever Compassionate, He chooses and invites whomever He wills. What about those who look down on him? Nah...it does not matter, does it?

I suspect this friend of mine is more nervous than an average would-be hujjaj. I could feel him. When I said "Take care N", his simple reply of "Thank you" seemed loaded with emotions and hope. Let's pray so that N, our friends and families in Makkah all remain in good physical and mental health. May Allah grant them ease, guidance, maqbul and hajj mabrur. Ameen.

Water is inseparable, the ocean is one body of water. The wave in the front reaches the shore first while the following waves wait for their turn willingly and patiently. Every drop of the ocean gets to touch the land eventually. Likewise, my turn for hajj will come at the appointed time bi-iznillah. Yours too!

Can you fathom? La ilaha ilallah to the number of waves in the oceans? It's uncountable day in, day out.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Alhamdulillah thank God it's a new day. It's raining in KL this morning post-Subuh so we say Allahumma soyyiban nafiá. May Allah pour all that is beneficial. Ameen.

Kuala Lumpur from my balcony
7 Sept 2016 @ 6.30 am

I purposely shift the angle to the right, omitting the KLCC twin towers so you could see the newly refurbished Masjid Kampung Bahru which is brightly lit throughout the night. Let's see if you could spot a minaret in blue lights.

Of course I am proud of my local mosque, I appreciate and didn't mind the inconvenience during its refurbishment phase because it's all for our own good eventually. And like most (some) people living in KL I never mind the ongoing and never ending road/highway/LRT/building constructions, because it's a city which is a work-in-progress (WIP).

I am not bothered that one young super gorgeous Malaysian celebrity had just removed her hijab, not unknowingly of the implications vis-a-vis her religion. I am just bothered that there are many self appointed ustaz and ustazah who thrashed her as if they are God/maksum and as if they knew she would have a bad ending (suúl khatimah), as if they (the self appointed ustaz/ustazah) are bloody sure they would have a husnul khatimah.

We are all WIP, aren't we? You may have heard about Amitabh Bachchan's heartfelt letter to his granddaughters. I just want to quote two Bachchan's sentences here: "Don't live in the shadows of people's judgments. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom."

As a weak Muslim, I just wanna pray for hidayah and tawfeek from Allah and of course husnul khatimah. I am pretty sure the celebrity who shunned her hijab, still have faith and would make similar duá.

I am guessing our Lord knows we are work-in-progress. He knows what's in our hearts. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows us better than those strangers/self-appointed self-righteous peopleout there.

Monday, September 5, 2016

Hah...hah...at long last, I see a shaykh knocking some sense on our head re texting, WhatsApping. Thank you Mufti al-Kawthari : D

Read on folks.

I once belonged to seven WhatsApp (WA) groups. I left two. I put three of them on silent for a year and read them once every three weeks, only by chance. If I were to leave my phone unchecked for 10 minutes, I could see on average 200 unread messages shared among three WA groups. It's insane! Who needs to read 200 messages? Who could effectively follow all the messages in order to be an active member of the groups? I am out man!

Am only active on two groups cos it's related to family and work team mates. With this message from Mufti al-Kawthari, I know I don't have to feel guilty at all LOL. Even though some "religious WhatsApp groups" are supposed to be beneficial, there are just too much info, merry-go-round chats and redundant sharing that goes back and forth, and some of them would act as WA supervisor among themselves trying to control what messages can/should not have been shared and then everybody gets in the debate, it's hilarious.

Couldn't agree more with the shaykh, voice and in-person communication is so much more effective than dragging conversations for hours. Besides, it's easier to misunderstand one another through WA. I work with a telco so I saw how voice had been a premium service for many years and then came the WA phenomenon. It's unbelievably strange to see voice lose its value to data communication, so much so that we had to reverse the charging plan.

BTW know that I have always been conscious about keeping my writing, short and snappy.

OK folks, we'd better get offline now : D

Wassalamualaikum!

La ilaha illallah to the number of flowers in the world : )
[Tokyo flowers there 👆]

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Came across this succinct advice from our beloved Shaykh Ninowy as published on his official IG today. It makes me think. When you and I wake up every morning and go to work, who are we serving? We are not just serving our employer or our colleagues. Think about the ultimate recipients of our service.

When you and I have got an impulse to post something on the internet, who are we serving?

It's a big question that gets us thinking, isn't it? Who are you serving? Who do I serve? The thing you do, the thing I choose to do, is it our raison détre?

"If you go to someone house, they will be hospitable to you. Allah is more Kareem (generous) than His creation. If you serve the deen, how can you think Allah will not protect you and take care of you? That's why for Sufis, after tawheed comes khidmah (servitude to creation). Tawheed is about Allah, servitude is about His creation, creator, and creation, end of story. Servitude is a means of self-protection."
- Shaykh Muhammad bin Yahya Al-Ninowy

***

This answers my dilemma really, as I quietly grumble about one big task I am entrusted with. Thank you Shaykh Ninowy! This is what the shuyukh are for, to guide us albeit remotely, unlike some shuyukh who have the tendency to take advantage of people as they selfishly work up their own spiritual maqam or personal interest.

I can't forgive/forget a shaykh who told me I would die young. He even told me "imagine your mother's reaction to see you die!" I was in my early 30s then. Imagine the negativity he impressed upon me. The same shaykh asked his male murid to invite me sit with him at the back of a chauffeured car as we were travelling to visit a muslim community. A couple of my friends witnessed this. I refused even after his murid came back to persuade for the second time. So now you know I have come a long way and why I have become choosy and a lil critical about males who hide behind their "religious uniform".

Having said that, I am grateful we have got shuyukh like Shaykh Ninowy. May Allah grant him a long healthy life so we could benefit from his counsel for the longest time. Ameen.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Alhamdulillah washukrulillah for all the wonderful "perfumers" in our lives. People who are good, who are in the good business hence we benefit from their fragrant, the fragrant of their very being and that of their business - their good deeds.

I am humbled and super grateful that a close friend - a dweller of the Haramain, invited me to write a duá which she will read word for word during the auspicious times/at the sacred places when she is out and about performing the hajj rituals! Alhamdulillah washukrulillah I have duly parceled my duá. AndI just wanted some of you genuine loyal readers to know that I have included you in my specially crafted duá : )

Here's an excerpt:

Oh Ya Allah, Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim, you know there are many people who have helped me directly and indirectly; there are many people who think well and highly of me despite my weaknesses and shortcomings, and there are people who have asked me to make duá for them.

Oh Ya Allah, You are our All-Knowing Lord, and You are the one who answers prayers, please bestow Your bounties, Your generosities, Your aid and Your mercies to each and every person who has helped me, those who think well of me, those who are kind to me, my friends and families, and those who have asked duá from me.

Oh Allah be merciful on them all, grant them all their wishes, and make them happy and successful in this dunya and the hereafter for You are our Most-Compassionate and Most-Loving Lord.

Ameen.

[Thank you. Jazakumullah folks! You know who you are!]

***

"By the dawn and the ten nights..."

I humbly re-write here the wirid as recommended by Habib Umar bin Hafiz for us to recite during the first ten days of Zulhijjah. We must credit Habib Umar's students who did the English translation or people like me would lose out on the meaningful wirid which really sounds like a "compounded interest". May this be useful as a quick reference for me and you.

In the name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful. O Allah, I present to You in front of every breath, every second, every instant, every thoughts, every blinking of the eye of the peoples of the heavens and the earth, and everything which is existent in Your knowledge or was existent, I present to You in front of all this. [Meaning: I present this as a defense from the evil of any of the things mentioned and seeking all the good that is contained in them.]:

La ilaha illallah the number of nights and ages, the number of days and months, the number of waves in the oceans, the multiplication of rewards, the number of raindrops, the number of leaves on the trees, the amount of hair and fur, the amount of sand and rocks, the number of flowers and fruits, the number of breaths of mankind, the number of our sins so that they are forgiven, the number of blinking of eyes, the amount of that which has been and will be.

La ilaha illallah exalted is He above that which people worship alongside Him.

La ilaha illallah this is better than than that which they amass (of worldly things).

La ilaha illallah in the night when it darkens.

La ilaha illallah in the morning when it breathes.

La ilaha illallah the number of winds that blow in the desert and the number of rocks.

La ilaha illallah from this day to the day on which the Trumpet is blown.

La ilaha ilallah the number of His entire creation from this day to the Day of Recompense.